Sport

Hill's ticket to stardom

Tony Hill has been handed a fast track to domestic boxing greatness after being selected for a remarkable new competition.

Southampton based Hill is one of eight light heavyweights who will compete over four live events to become the MaxiNutrition Knockout winner and in doing so the British champion.

The eight fighters, ranging from up-and-coming stars with world-class ambitions, to former British, Commonwealth and European champions, are Bob Ajisafe, Dean Francis, Danny McIntosh, Travis Dickinson, Matty Clarkson, Leon Senior, Lee Duncan and Hill. They have been seeded and drawn into four quarter-finals, one side of the draw – which features Hill – holding the coveted British and Southern Area light heavyweight titles and the other holding the prestigious English light heavyweight title.

Channel 5 will broadcast the quarter-finals in two two-hour programmes, each featuring two live contests, the first at Rivermead, Reading, on March 15, and the second on March 22 live from Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield.

The winners of each quarter-final will be drawn to meet in two semi-finals, competing over 10 x 3 minute rounds for the English title and 12 x 3 minute rounds for the British, to be shown live in programme three.

The final will be over 12 x 3 minute rounds, broadcast live within six months of the series launch programme, as the British champion meets the English champion.

Hill fights on March 15 for the Southern Area title against Leon Senior on the undercard of Bob Ajisafe facing off against Dean Francis for the British strap.